Igor Mitoraj — Centurione II (1986)
The Centurione II bronze from 1986 is one of the most recognisable small-format works by Igor Mitoraj. A dark-patinated partial head of a Roman soldier, its face crossed by a horizontal band, signed MITORAJ at the base of the neck — I own one and am actively seeking additional examples, particularly those with original bases or accompanying documentation.
Identifying an Authentic Centurione II
The Centurione II (1986) can be identified by several consistent features. The cast is a partial head — forehead, brow, nose, cheekbones and chin visible, eyes concealed by the horizontal band. The base of the neck carries the incised or stamped signature MITORAJ. On the reverse or underside, the edition number is present (out of 1500). Some examples carry a small coin medallion detail at the side of the neck — a cameo-like classical profile embedded in the bronze.
Dimensions: approximately 18.5 × 14 × 6 cm for the bronze alone. Most examples were sold with a simple rectangular black marble or travertine base, though many now exist without the original base.
Centurione II — Key Facts
The edition of 1500 makes Centurione II one of the larger Mitoraj editions, though the majority of these have entered private collections and do not reappear at auction frequently. The dark patina is the standard finish; gilt variants are rarer and slightly more sought-after. The presence of the coin medallion detail does not necessarily indicate an earlier or rarer cast — it is a feature that appears inconsistently across the edition.
Current Market Value
Centurione II examples in excellent condition with original base sell at auction in the range of €900–€2,200. Without the base, prices are typically €100–€300 lower. A complete example with certificate and base at the higher end of the range. I buy privately at prices competitive with auction estimates — you avoid the seller's commission (typically 15–25% at auction houses) by selling directly to me.
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Contact Me DirectlySee also: Full Centurione series overview · All Mitoraj bronzes · Auction prices